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Updated: Apr 21, 2026

Ion-Exchange Membranes for the Fabrication of Reverse Electrodialysis Device
Published on: July 20, 2021
A gemini quaternary ammonium poly (ether ether ketone) anion-exchange membrane for alkaline fuel cell: design,
Jiangju Si1, Shanfu Lu, Xin Xu
1Beijing Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Energy Materials and Devices, Beihang University, Beijing 100191 (P.R. China); Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Environment, Beihang University, Xueyuan Road No. 37, Haidian District, Beijing 100191 (P.R. China).
Abstract:
To reconcile the tradeoff between conductivity and dimensional stability in AEMs, a novel Gemini quaternary ammonium poly (ether ether ketone) (GQ-PEEK) membrane was designed and successfully synthesized by a green three-step procedure that included polycondensation, bromination, and quaternization. Gemini quaternary ammonium cation groups attached to the anti-swelling PEEK backbone improved the ionic conductivity of the membranes while undergoing only moderate swelling. The grafting degree (GD) of the GQ-PEEK significantly affected the properties of the membranes, including their ion-exchange capacity, water uptake, swelling, and ionic conductivity. Our GQ-PEEK membranes exhibited less swelling (≤ 40 % at 25-70 °C, GD 67 %) and greater ionic conductivity (44.8 mS cm(-1) at 75 °C, GD 67 %) compared with single quaternary ammonium poly (ether ether ketone). Enhanced fuel cell performance was achieved when the GQ-PEEK membranes were incorporated into H2 /O2 single cells.
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